Chicago Gateway Green (CGG) hosted its annual Green Tie Ball themed "Studio 54" for the first time at Venue One in the West Loop. Guests enjoyed remarkable cuisine from over 30 of Chicago’s top restaurants including Harry Caray’s, Mercadito and Firecakes. Musical entertainment was provided by popular local DJ’s; Matt Roan who dished out his best

Joanna and Grant Deporter

electronic dance mixes, Justin Jacobson had the crowd moving to the groove, Eddie Mills provided pop hit dance remixes, DJ Rock City had the guests jamming to today’s top ten hits and the Dr. Bombay Band rocked Venue One

Monika Dixon, Joanna Slusky and Sarah Fishman

with everyone’s favorite cover songs from the past. Closing the night’s entertainment was MTV’s “Artist to Watch,” Matt LeGrand who performed a few of his hit songs from Spring Break Grl and Fire. The night didn’t stop there! Guests played a number of charitable casino games

Christopher Blodgett and Alexis Kersey

like roulette, blackjack and craps. Throughout the night there was a silent auction where attendees could bid on packages that consisted of Kendra Scott jewelry, Hamilton jewelry, a Chicago Blackhawks signed hockey stick, vacation packages and more.To date, CGG’s Green Tie Ball has raised over $50 million in donations to benefit its Expressway

Lovely ladies at Green Tie Ball!

Partnership Program, which maintains beautiful and sustainable landscapes in the city of Chicago. This year’s ball raised over $300,000 to help improve the quality of over 107 gardens on

Emily Hussey (R) and friend.

all local expressways going to-and-from downtown Chicago!! Chicago Gateway Green is rooted in the spirit of civic pride and leadership first established in 1986 by their visionary founder, the late Donald J. DePorter. Chicago Gateway Green was founded on the belief that

Marco Foster

beauty and sustainability go hand-in-hand, and continues to lead the charge in greening and beautifying the great city of Chicago together with their partners. Distinct from traditional ‘adopt-a-highway’ programs, Chicago Gateway Green develops and maintains sweeping landscapes which feature their sponsors, creating green

Jason Prinzo, Janet Mandell, Jerry Azumah

ribbons of sustainable landscapes weaving throughout the city. Then and now they rely on that commitment and spirit of service to support the work of creating a beautiful and green Chicago that can be sustained well into the future. Congrats to all!! (Photos by Rubin Roche)

The Chicago Police Foundation (CPF), a new non-profit organization established to help support the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) efforts to improve public safety in the city, held its first charity event to raise supplemental funding to

Superintendent Garry McCarthy and Heinz Kern

provide additional resources for the department on November 7. The more than 350 guests attending the sold out "True Blue Event" enjoyed dinner, as well as displays by the Chicago Police Department’s canine,

equestrian, marine and SWAT team units at Chicago Police Headquarters. The CPF raised approximately $400,000 from the event and auction to benefit the Police Department. “The mission of this new Foundation is to

Father Dan Brandt, Brenda Tracy, Rabbi Moshe Wolf

work in partnership with the Chicago business community to support and fund vital programs to supplement the resources in technology, training and equipment available to the Chicago Police Department,” said John C. Robak, Chair of

Vivian and Stan Nitzberg

the Chicago Police Foundation Board of Directors. “The support that CPF provides is ultimately intended to enhance overall public safety, and also to help build stronger relationships between the public and the Chicago Police Department through

Gary Epstein, Stacy Epstein, Penny Hecktman, Jeffrey Hecktman

community outreach and youth programs.” Mary Ann Rose, executive director, added, “We are sincerely grateful for the generosity of all of our sponsors, donors, and guests who made this inaugural

Clarissa Cerda and Kristin Barnette

True Blue fundraising event a success. Through their support, we are excited to be able to use the funds raised to obtain needed additional resources that will help the CPD and our city.” This debut fundraiser for CPF raised approximately $400,000 to benefit the Police Department.

hoopla surrounding the Chi-Raq screening and premiere party here in Chicago. Aisha attended the premiere with her friend James T. Alfred (Empire) and said lots of people had to wait in the cold to get in. The film

Chi-Raq cast member Teyonah Parris with publicist Aisha Murff

premiere was at the Chicago Theatre and began with a moment of prayer conducted by Father Michael Pfleger. The after-party at the Chicago Cultural Center had lots of familiar faces including Minister Lewis Farrakhan, John Rogers, John Cusack, Wesley Snipes, Nick Cannon, Jennifer

Chi-Raq cast member Eric with Actor James T. Alfred of Empire

Hudson, Hermene Hartman, Jackie Taylor, Abe Thompson and Val Warner, who had a cameo in the film as a TV news reporter. Spike Lee attended with his wife and kids and even danced to the "Watch Me! Whip Nae Nae" song! Delicious appetizers provided by Food for

Cast members George Wilburn, Father Pfleger, Spike and Wesley Snipes

Thought catering featured mini tacos and burgers, mac & cheese bites and mushrooms topped with short ribs of beef. My two friends are divided on their critique of the film. Aisha

WVON producer Courtney Scott's selfie with Spike

said, "The film is good and sends a message about how cities can unite to end violence." Geoff had a different point of view. Read his Chi-Raq review here on December 3 along with his other cool film reviews.

It’s hard not to feel a tug at your heartstrings and a swelling of pride when the colors are called and the national anthem is sung at the annual Liberty Gala benefiting Chicago’s Pritzker Military

Alice Rae and Don Casey, WWII veteran

Museum & Library, held this year at the Hilton Chicago on November 7. John Schwan, former first lieutenant in the United States Army and Veteran of the Vietnam War called upon the Army ROTC Color Guard from the University of Illinois at Chicago to present the flags followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Lindsay Metzger of the Lyric Opera.

Schwan then recognized high ranking military guests in the crowd of 484 that filled the ballroom for the evening, followed by active military guests in the audience. Next up was longtime champion of military families and three-time emcee of the event,

Literature Award recipient David Hackett Fischer with Mayari Pritzker

ABC-7's Stacey Baca. “Over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the Museum and Library, and have truly come to appreciate all that they do and how they do it,” she said. “They make sure that history stays alive and

do this through exploring the personal stories of service of everyone from General to Private, from Admiral to Seaman. They provide a way in which military families can preserve the memory of the

ABC-7's Stacey Baca

service members in their families. Their mission is one that is of great importance to me as I also come from a military family. My husband is a retired navy commander.” In a moving demonstration of what the Museum & Library is all about, its president and CEO, Kenneth Clarke, pinned a service medal on JROTC student

Alice Rae and Don Casey with Captain James Hawkins, USN

cadet Major Miranda Cardona, Battalion Executive Officer and a Senior at Prosser Career Academy. Cardona conducted research at the Museum & Library and participated in a visit to West Point

Army ROTC color guard from the U of I at Chicago

sponsored by sister organization, the Tawani Foundation. "These experiences," she said, “showed me that a Puerto Rican kid from Humboldt Park can do what it takes to succeed.” She is now seeking an Army ROTC Scholarship to use at Western Illinois, Loyola or DePaul,

Mayor with Sheila Evans, Rear Admiral Stephen Evans, USN

and plans to be an officer in the Army Nurse Corps. Next up on the stage was Pritzker Military Museum and Library Founder Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (RETIRED), who each year presents a founder’s award to an individual or organization to recognize significant contributions to the Museum and

Collett Holt, Kay Smith, Julia Smith and Major Robert Bland, ILNG

Library’s mission of preserving and sharing the stories of citizen soldiers. She introduced this year's winners as "two individuals who have established a standard of excellence for generations of military history writers, Edward “Mac” Coffman and Sir Michael Howard." Accepting the awards

on their behalves were two former winners of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing, Gerhard Weinberg and Pulitzer Prize-winner Rick Atkinson. The organization presented the

Don Casey, WWII vet

Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing to Brandeis University professor and author David

Hackett Fischer. In another poignant moment, the crowd was held in rapt attention by Vice Admiral Ron Thunman, USN (Retired), who told of his 35 years of service during the cold war building a powerful nuclear submarine force under his mentor, famous Chicago native Admiral Hymen Rickover.

Manuela Hung and Reute Butle with endangered snow leopard

The event raised over $725,000 for the Museum & Library's programs.

The Friends of Conservation Ball is always a "wild" affair and, this year, the event planners upped the ante with famed wildlife expert Jack Hanna on-board. A highlight of this annual event, besides raising funds for a desperate part of our world, is the meet-and-greet with

Mike and Kristina McGrath with Asian Palm Civet

exotic animals. This year over 200 guests got up close and personal with animal ambassadors from the Columbus Zoo. They included an endangered, 5 1/2 month-old snow leopard, an African cheetah cub, a

Mike McGrath with Dr. and Mrs. Steve Stryker.

penguin, an Asian Palm civit and a lemur from Madagascar. Snow leopards are on the endangered species list with a breeding population of only 3000 left in the world. Hanna shared sobering info about the (now) sophisticated world of poaching and stated that more than 1,200 rhinos were lost to

Rachel Philippe, Manuela Hung, Dena Krenzien

poaching in South Africa in 2014. "Poachers have helicopters with GPS and they know where the animals bed down at night...In the late 1970's and early '80's, the rhino's horn was worth $4000 and today it's up to $500,000, so of course, you're going to

Stanley Paul, Mamie Walton and Jason Dohman

have organized crime syndicates with sharpshooters involved. They can take a horn in less than 2 1/2 minutes--they shoot them from the air and come down with a chainsaw. In 2 1/2 minutes, they have a half million dollar

Suzi and husband Jungle Jack Hanna

prize to take back to Asia." Hanna advised the attendees that poaching is now a billion dollar business and that much needs to be done to protect rare wildlife from disappearing from the earth forever. The elegant, black-tie affair, held on October 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel, was chaired by

Melinda Joseph and Cece Gonzales with cute boyfriends

President Reute Butler, co-chaired and emceed by Ch. 5's Zoraida Sambolin and Vonita Reescer (a co-chair). During the program, President Butler was surprised to receive a Lalique lion from

her mother, FOC founder Jorie Butler Kent, for her 30 years of dedicated work with Friends of Conservation. The crystal lion was donated by Lalique and Chicago showroom

Jim and Peggy Drury with Michael Butler

director Rachel Lang. A letter was read from FOC’s Royal Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, who is personally acquainted with the issues facing conservation in Africa, and is a longtime supporter of FOC's efforts. FOC has been working in East Africa since it was founded in 1982 by Jorie Butler Kent and Geoffery

Sharon and Dan Uslan (R) and friends.

Kent. Their mission was to join with local people and partners to support traditional and sustainable ways of living in harmony with wildlife and ecosystems. FOC was one of the world’s earliest leaders in the development of

Cheri Lawrence, Reute Butler and Jack Hanna

Community Conservation, since 1988 actively engaging the participation of communities in the Masai Mara area of Kenya in planning, decision making as well as implementation of

Veronica Loquercio and friend

actions and policies relating to natural resources management and capacity building, and continues with this mission today. (To learn more about the valuable work the FOC does, click here).

Gala, celebrating Victory Gardens’ 41st Season. The event was held on October 23 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Chicago and raised more than $200,000 to support the development of new work and education and outreach programs. Victory Gardens

Playwrights Ensemble member Ike Holter and Joel Ewing

Chicago Stories Gala is tailored to Victory Gardens’ dedication to the playwright and mission of producing new works. Since 1991, the unique highlight of the evening has been a trio of short plays

written by Chicago celebrities specifically for the event and directed and performed by local professionals. The unique world premiere productions are performed as part of a gala evening, which includes a live and silent auction, cocktails and a three-course gourmet dinner. Funds

Bruce and Fanchon Simons and board member Jeff Rappin

raised through Chicago Stories not only help cultivate and showcase diverse new works, but also support outreach programs, which integrate vital arts education into some of

Board member/gala chair Virginia Fitzgerald and Anupy Singla

Chicago’s neediest public schools This year's celebrity playwrights were Gery Chico, attorney, former US Senate and Mayoral candidate, who wrote Incarnation; Billy Lawless, Jr., restaurateur and owner of Acanto, The Gage, and The Dawson, who wrote Uneditable; and Stephanie Springs, CEO of Make-A-Wish

The Service Club of Chicago celebrated its 125th anniversary in grand style at a gala at the Four Seasons on November 6 that was inspired by its historic past. The "Anniversary Ball" began with a reception

where guests shopped an extensive silent auction before dinner in the ballroom. There, decor by Kehoe Designs set the tone

Simona Garcia, Larisa Kronfeld and Cristina Montgomery

for the organization's milestone anniversary evoking the old world glamour of the 1890's. Nearly 350 guests dined under three styles of centerpieces, from grand trumpet vases covered in gold leaf holding majestic palms to Victorian-style candelabras with Waterford crystal hurricanes amid

SC pres Myra Reilly with honorary chair Marguerite Hark

clusters of white roses. Along the perimeter of the ballroom, 12' tall ornately framed candle "walls" held over 700 glowing candles. The room was aglow both with decor and remembrances of the non-profit's historic founding in 1890 by 14 women from the most prominent families in Chicago with

Stanley Paul and his orchestra

names such as Armour and Palmer. The black-tie ball, co-chaired by SC members Susan Gohl and Cookie Cohen, had an "Evening in Versailles" theme. Past events' themes featured a salute to disco and the '70's with Studio 123, an historical look back at the White City

Kathy Cook, Cheri Lawrence, Courtney Pitt and friend

and a Moulin Rouge celebration last year. The organization raises money all year long, and at the end of the year, they donate 100% of the funds raised to 501c3 charities throughout Chicagoland. The process begins when the

Ruth Kern, Mamie Walton and Elizabeth Bertucci

charities apply for grants, then the Philanthropic Committee reviews each one. This year, the Committee interviewed or visited over 70 agencies needing help. Money is never given directly to the charity, but rather funds are provided to pay for tangible items that are needed to expand or

Sherry Lea and Rick Holson with co-chair Cookie Cohen

enlarge their services. For example, the Service Club pays vendors for such items as hospital beds, kitchens for a homeless shelter, shuttle vans for after-school programs and computers for social service agencies operating with antiquated equipment. The evening concluded with guests dancing to the 21-piece Stanley

Tracey DiBuono, Sherrill Bodine and Dr. Stacie McClane Mickelson

Paul Orchestra under a collection of crystal chandeliers suspended over the dance floor where a leaf pattern design was projected. According to SC president Myra Reilly, "When you donate

Cristina Montgomery and Iona Hedesiu

to Service Club, in reality, you're helping your neighbors. We have been proud over the years to support the Lincoln Park Zoo, Catholic Charities, Little City and Chicago Hope Academy among many others. In 2015, we were able to grant over $300,000 toward these efforts." Reilly acknowledged honorary chair, Marguerite Hark, a 60 year member of the Service Club. This year's event raised nearly $425,000 to support SC's grant program. (Photos by John Reilly Photography)

Woman-about-town/philanthropist/arts supporter

Helen makes a wish!

Helen Melchior had a BIG birthday recently hosted by her friends Leslie Hindman and Joan Colmar at Leslie's "Palazzo" on Lake Shore Drive. It was a joyous affair and the elegant

many others. Delicious hors d'oeuvres were from Froggie's in Highwood. A beautiful cake by Elysia Root Cakes required a wish and the wearing of pointy

Joan Colmar, Adam Spender, Ken Norgan, Beth Silverman

hats while we all sang happy birthday to one of Chicago's top powerhouses. Love and Happy BD Helpful Helen!

With the one and only, the Voice, Bill Kurtis!

What a thrill it was to tape a segment for "Through the Decades" hosted by the legendary Bill Kurtis. The program takes a look at news, events and top stories of the day and decade through the lens of television. The

Bill and Donna LaPietra--one cute pair of bunnies!

show I did with former Playboy colleague Jeff Cohen will air on December 18 at 6 am, noon, 6 pm and midnight on Comcast Channel 338 and WOW Channel 172. We dish about what really went on behind the scenes at Playboy and our perspectives on its recent changes. Hope you'll tune in! (Photos by Mila Samokhina)

community in every age group. I was so touched when the elders presented me with my Chinese name, Zuo Kang De, which they told me translates into "a passionate advocate for what is right." :-))) Mark your calendars now for their next big social event, Winter Night Chic, at the Bridgeport Art Center (1200 W. 35th St.) on Friday, December 4. Over 30 Asian restaurants will be offering delicious

With CASL elders receiving my Chinese name

tastings and DJ Aileen Tie will have you dancing all night, from 6:30 to 10 pm anyway! For tickets, $100, and more info, click here! Also, their 27th annual black-tie gala, China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors, is on Wed. May 11, at The Field Museum. For tickets and info for this event, click here!

Tarrah Cooper, Rochelle Trotter, Mayor and Kathleen Henson

In celebration of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s former Press Secretary, Tarrah Cooper, saying farewell and beginning her new position as Managing Director of Mercury Public Strategies in Chicago, local influencers gathered at modern Italian concept, Dolce Italianon Nov 17, to toast

upcoming segment about women entrepreneurs. Featured in the show are Hillary Sawchuk (founder of A Drink With), Kit Graham (author of The Kittchen), Erin Bassett (Windy City blogger and Collective co-founder), Blair Staky (author of The Fox and She, owner of Leap Designs) and Emily Charron (author of Isn't ThatCharming, (co-founder of

Macy's Great Tree-gorgeous as ever!

Wandeleur) and PBS/CEO Paula Kerger and celeb chef Lidia Bastianich. Air date is planned for the spring.

I am thrilled that the joys of the holiday season are upon us! I've visited Macy's State Street and couldn't believe all the magic I found there! The Great Tree is

Part of Macy's holiday decor--Awesome!!

bigger and better than ever and the holiday decor and gift ideas

Peanuts personalized gifts! (Photo by Sebastian Biedron)

were mind numbing for this elf! I especially loved the new "Art We Grew Up With" department where you can buy personalized gifts featuring characters from the much loved Peanuts cartoons. (Macy's is the only store in the country offering this!) I've ordered several items and can't wait for Christmas! Do yourself a favor and take someone you love there for lunch under the

Santa is in aisle 3!!!

tree and be sure and check out "Christmas Lane" on the 7th floor!

And I'm pretty sure I'm coming very late to this party, but I've recently discovered the Joys of Hobby Lobby and have been there 3 times this week. (Don't judge me) Again, the holiday decor took my breath away! I

They even have Chihuahua holiday cookie jars!

even saw a Chihuahua Christmas cookie jar! So, if you're looking for a great variety of decor at good prices, you have to go there! Tell them Candid Candace sent you. Just kidding, they don't know me but probably will by the time I'm finished! LOL!

Artist Vincent Wolff

Who is looking for a unique and inexpensive gift for the holidays? How about an original 11" x 14" drawing of yourself or a loved one for only $100? Nude or boudoir....sexy or demure. It's a great gift idea from Chicago artist Vincent Wolff who

Chicago Sports Museum on November 20 with a gazillion friends. And Sharyl Mackey celebrated her birthday at hotspot Maple & Ash with close friends on November 23. Love both these lovely ladies and hope their BD wishes all come true!

Lara Carling, Kay Kron and Ray Rehberg star in A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter & Friends, a Chicago Children's Theatre world premiere devised by Chicago theater artist Will Bishop.

There's no fighting a Chicago winter so Chicago Children's Theatre is embracing it instead, counter-programming the frigid temperatures with three consecutive "snow" shows - A Snowy Day with Beatrix

Lara Carling, Kay Kron and Ray Rehberg star in A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter & Friends. Performances will be held at three different locations in the city over the holidays, every Saturday, November 28 through December 19

theater fans. For tickets and Holiday Pass information, click here or call (877) 222-9555. A great idea for the whole family!

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a post I wrote on Chicago Now of my thoughts of this holiday.

With Melissa Forman, 3rd co-host Rooney Jordan and Nika Clark

Hope you enjoy it!

And lastly, huge thanks to WCIU's "You & Me" for having me back as a co-host today (Friday) with the always darling Melissa Forman. It was an even bigger thrill that they included ROONEY as their 3rd

Rooney co-hosting You & Me

co-host! He shared a few of his cutest outfits and loved, loved, loved being on TV! He now wants his own show! Follow me on Facebook (Candid Candace) to see more of this cutie, patootie! Also, one of my segments included three top upcoming winter events! Check them out here! #FavShow, #RooneyRules (And watch our hilarious segment with comedian Jamie Kennedy, here!)